Skip to main content

Inside the Vatican: Revisiting Nanni Moretti's Habemus Papam (We Have a Pope)

It's labeled a comedy but it's really a reflection on the human condition and spirit, and how events of the past affect how we deal with the present.

Nanni Moretti's film "Habemus Papam" (WeHave a Pope) recently made its way to American shores. The story centers on a newly elected pope who really doesn't want the job. When Cardinal Melville is unexpectedly chosen by his peers to lead the Catholic Church, the enormous responsibility brings to the surface old disappointments and dreams that were never realized. Just as he is about to step onto the world's stage to address his followers, the Pope has a panic attack and literally gets out of dodge. A renowned psychiatrist, played by Nanni Moretti, is called in to assess the situation and consult with the pope. The film opens with archival footage of the Vatican's funeral for Pope John Paul II and then follows the cardinals into conclave as they ponder their choices for a new spiritual leader, opting for a compatriot who wasn't originally in the running.

Nanni Moretti did well to cast Michel Piccoli in the role of the reluctant pope. Piccoli uses his expressive eyes to communicate the pontiff's inner struggles with his past and conflicts with the future. You can see the pain in his eyes as he wants so much to lead his global congregation but just can't muster the strength to do so. In an effort to find some peace, he manages to break free of the Vatican walls to do some soul searching. As the pope is working out his issues, the cardinals are still officially in conclave. So to pass the time, the pope's psychoanalyst organizes an international volleyball tournament. The cardinals throw themselves into their matches with both fierce competitiveness and childlike joy, qualities rarely associated with the upper echelon of the Catholic Church. It is a beautifully directed scene complete with playful music and dramatic slow-motion sequences that reveal a human side to some of the world's most powerful men.

Meanwhile, the pope walks the bustling streets of the Eternal City with a heavy heart and a mind full of thoughts. During his brief stint of total freedom, he taps into the childhood issue that is holding him back, and just as we think he is about to set the past to rest, the film takes a totally surprising final turn.

With sharp dialogue and Moretti's signature style of filmmaking, longtime fans of the filmmaker will appreciate this film as another Moretti classic and embrace his delicate art of interweaving comedy and drama to create a touching portrait of reality while finding humor in the face of sadness and grief. The film has already been recognized for its rich design and sumptuous sets.  Many scenes were shot at the sprawling Roman Palazzo Farnese, which is home to the French Embassy in Rome as well as the magnificent Villa Medici, while the Sistine Chapel and the Sala Regia were reconstructed in the Cinecittà Studios.

Stream the film now on Amazon..




Nanni Moretti

Nanni Moretti is one of the most prominent and important figures in Italian pop culture and contemporary Italian cinema. Known for pushing the envelope in matters of relationships and family, Moretti's films tug at our heart strings with storylines centering on the connections between parents and children often exploring the effects of loss and grief.

Born in 1953, Moretti grew up with two passions; cinema and water polo. Upon graduating college, he made two successful short films which served as a solid platform for his prolific career in feature filmmaking. In most cases, he works as the producer, director, writer and lead actor. His love of water polo inspired his 1989 film, "Palombella Rossa." It is obvious how important the water element is to Moretti and his work. In addition to "Palombella Rossa" the sea has also served as a movie set for story-changing scenes in several of his films including "The Son's Room" and "Quiet Chaos."

Aside from filmmaking, Moretti is known for his outspoken political beliefs and has led many left-wing rallies in protest of Italy's controversial prime minister, Silvio Berlusconi. Much of Moretti's criticism lies within the current state of the Italian media, given Berlusconi's control of the state television stations as prime minister, as well as his broadcast empire, Mediaset. His 2006 "Il Caimano" was based on the life of Berlusconi. Moretti also portrayed by him in the movie.

A few of my favorites...

"Caro Diario"  (Dear Diary)
Nanni Moretti's 1993 film, "Caro Diario" is great reminder of the magic of cinema.  With stunning cinematography and quirky characters, this film will take you on a trip through Italy and make you laugh all the way. Moretti is hilarious as he directs himself through a series of vignettes in which he is in search of that eternal question, What is the meaning of life? With scenic shots of Stromboli as well as modern Rome that are fit for a travelogue, Moretti gives us a tour via his Vespa of modern architecture in the Roman suburb, Garbatella. It is definitely a neighborhood less traveled by tourists but still beautiful with it's local charm and simple structures. This is a feel-good movie that has become a contemporary classic in Italy.

"La Stanza del Figlo" (The Son’s Room)
Nanni Moretti’s 2001 masterpiece is a thoughtful, dramatic film that explores how one family copes with the loss of a child. Moretti wrote, directed and co-stared in the film with the sensational Laura Morante. The film is profoundly sad at times. However, the ever-versatile Stefano Accorsi is on hand to offer some priceless comedy relief. Given the tragedy of the story, Moretti succeeds in focusing on the positive side of grief; the ability to move on while remembering your loved one.

"Il Caimano"
Nanni Moretti embraces his passion for politics as he takes on the hot topic issues of Italian Prime Minister, Silvio Berlusconi. The story centers on a down-on-his-luck producer named Bruno Bonomo, who is brilliantly played by actor, Silvio Orlando. Bonomo is pitching a script to Italian television, which is based on the life and work of Berlusconi. The film has a documentary feel, and although the story is fictional, Moretti makes sure to inform his audience of the media tycoon and prime minister's rise to fame and fortune. With actual footage of Berlusconi, the film is a thought-provoking portrait of a businessman and politician whose well-earned controversy is still at the heart of heated debates.

"Caos calmo" (Quiet Chaos)
Its steamy scenes between Nanni Moretti and Isabella Ferrari created an unprecedented buzz among festival goers at the 2007 Tribeca Film Festival where the film made its US premiere. Moretti's character Pietro is a widower who spends his days mourning on a bench in front of his daughter's elementary school. As time passes, he gets to know all the regular passers-by. Even his colleagues conduct business meetings with him at this designated park bench. His love affair with Eleonora (Ferrari) is born out of life-changing events at the beginning of the film. This movie is a profound example of the cause and effect of the choices that we make in life.

 - Jeannine Guilyard

Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Anna Foglietta: Actress and Activist with Old School Elegance

One look at actress Anna Foglietta in her any of her roles, and the Golden Age of Italian cinema comes to mind. Among Italy’s most sought-after actresses today, Foglietta brings to the table a classic eloquence of yesterday while representing Italy’s modern woman. Born in Rome in 1979, Foglietta began her career in 2005 with a role in the RAI television series La squadra . Her character Agent Anna De Luca had a two-year run on the series as she was transitioning to cinema with Paolo Virzì’s 2006 ensemble project 4-4-2- Il gioco più bello del mondo . Since then, she has become one of Italy’s most diverse actresses, transforming herself into interesting, layered characters for comedies and dramas alike. Aside from a small part in Anton Corbijn’s 2010 film The American starring George Clooney, Foglietta’s work began reaching mainstream American audiences in 2015. As Elisa in Edoardo Leo’s 2015 comedy Noi e la Giulia , Foglietta showed her funny side playing a goofball pregn...
Post a Comment
Read more

Director Gianni Di Gregorio explores relationships in later life with 'Never Too Late for Love'

In “Astolfo” (“Never Too Late for Love”), director Gianni Di Gregorio delivers a coming-of-age film for the golden years of life about a retired professor who leaves Rome to return to a tiny mountain village in Abruzzo. The film opens with the title character, played by Di Gregorio, walking through the streets of his Roman neighborhood, groceries in hand, only to find his landlord waiting for him when he arrives home. She is there to announce that he will have to vacate his humble residence to make way for her daughter, who is getting married soon.  After some contemplation, he calls his ex-wife to ask her about an old family castle he split with her in their divorce. When she confirms that a portion of the castle is his for the taking, he gleefully returns to his spacious new home only to discover it has been occupied by a squatter, who turns out to be an acquaintance from his childhood who is also down on his luck. Without hesitation, Astolfo adopts the man as his roommate. ...
Post a Comment
Read more

Review: Emma Dante's 'The Macaluso Sisters'

In a moving story that spans several decades, “The Macaluso Sisters” follows five orphaned sisters born and raised in an apartment on Palermo’s outskirts. They support themselves by renting out pigeons for events, a unique and symbolic business that reflects their resourcefulness and the transient nature of their lives. Directed by Emma Dante, who adapted the script from her 2014 play of the same name, the film boasts an all-female cast that brings a unique power to the story. It unfolds in three chapters that show how the tragic events of one day haunt the sisters through childhood, adulthood and old age.   The first chapter reveals the tragedy of the youngest sister, Antonella, who dies during a beach outing. She remains a permanent presence in the household, never aging. The film returns again and again to the beauty of the day at the beach when tragedy struck. The apartment is a central character, housing the memories and rage each sister carries inside her. This exploration of...
Post a Comment
Read more

The Timeless Talent of Stefania Sandrelli

On screen since the tender age of 14, she has captivated audiences for more than 50 years with a compelling combination of strength and vulnerability. She achieved stardom at just 14 years old playing the angelic cousin of a love-struck Marcello Mastroianni in Pietro Germi’s “Divorce Italian Style.” More than half a century later, she is still going strong and remains one of Italy’s most esteemed actors. Stefania Sandrelli was born on June 5, 1946, in Viareggio in the province of Lucca in northern Italy. As a child, she studied music and dance. Then in 1960, she won a beauty pageant and was featured on the cover of Le Ore magazine. Her purity captivated the country and shortly thereafter, movie offers began pouring in. Just one year later, she made her cinema debut in three feature films: Mario Sequi’s Gioventù di notte , Luciano Salce’s The Fascist, and Pietro Germi’s Divorce Italian Style . She instantly became a star and before long was a key figure in Italy’s legend...
Post a Comment
Read more

Paola Cortellesi shines as La Befana in a family comedy blending tradition and modernity

A wildly successful Christmastime film, earning over $8 million at the box office when it premiered in 2018, "La befana vien di notte" (“The Legend of the Christmas Witch”) is a wholesome holiday comedy that the whole family can watch. Directed by Michele Soavi, the film stars two of Italy's most diverse contemporary actors, Paola Cortellesi and Stefano Fresi, as gift-giving foes. Paola (Cortellesi) is a grammar schoolteacher by day, but at night, she turns into La Befana, the Christmas witch, a mystical being who brings gifts to the good kids and coal to the naughty ones.   On one of her Befana nights, she was attacked by a dog that tore her Befana gift list. When she returned home from a night of riding on her broomstick, delivering gifts to children all over the world, she realized that she had forgotten one child. When she discovered the torn-up list, she figured out who the child was, got back on her broom, and headed straight to his house. Having arrived late, the b...
Post a Comment
Read more